GBP/USD: Bears taking charge on Brexit pessimism, eyes on February low at 1.2772


  • GBP/USD is currently trading at 1.2861, between a range of 1.2826 and 1.2923.
  • GBP/USD is underperforming due to Brexit concerns while the Dollar is holding in positive territory.

While the Dollar holds in positive territory, in the 97.50s, (DXY), GBP/USD has flopped to a low of 1.2826 and the lowest levels since the 15th of February earlier this year. This is an extension of yesterday's -0.41% versus the Dollar as the situation around Brexit continued to deteriorate.

Since the government confirmed yesterday that it plans to bring a Brexit bill back to Parliament in early June, the markets have traded the risks associated to this situation whereby Labour is not going to be on board with respect to hardlines not willing to shift their stance on the idea of a customs union and with the European Parliament elections unlikely to do May any favours with respect to popularity of the Conservative party.

In the latest news, a) Labour has said it cannot support the Brexit legislation without an agreement, b) the UK's Brexit secretary has highlighted how challenging cross-Brexit talks have been that have not come to any conclusions and c) UK's trade secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has warned that continuing down current path takes us to potential revocation of Article 50 or leaving without a deal and d) Comments from DUP lawmaker, Nigel Dodds, were turning the screw when saying that 'there must be real change to protect the economic and constitutional integrity of the UK and deliver Brexit'.

All in all, the market is positioning out of the pound expecting that UK lawmakers will reject Theresa May's Brexit deal when it is brought back for another parliamentary vote in the first week of June. Also, noting recent polls, one from yesterday, (the Kantar Public) has shown that Labour is 9 points ahead of the Tories and the markets are speculating that this will be Mrs May last roll of the leadership dice.

GBP/USD levels

GBP/USD’s dropped below the April low at 1.2865 and eyes are now for the February low at 1.2772. 

"Immediate downside pressure will be maintained while no rise above the May 10 high at 1.3048 is seen. Only if this level were to be exceeded, would we look for the 1.3185/97 April and current May highs as well as the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement to be retested. The cross will need to regain the 1.3217 January 25 high to introduce scope to the 1.3351/82 resistance area, made up of the February and March highs, where we expect it to struggle,"

analysts at Commerzbank argued. 

With weekly stochastics leaning bearish, on the downside, the 1.2660s would be targetted next on a break of the February lows, where the price would then meet the 78.6% Fibo confluence of the 2019 range year to date. 

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD alternates gains with losses near 1.0720 post-US PCE

EUR/USD alternates gains with losses near 1.0720 post-US PCE

The bullish tone in the Greenback motivates EUR/USD to maintain its daily range in the low 1.070s in the wake of firmer-than-estimated US inflation data measured by the PCE.

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD clings to gains just above 1.2500 on US PCE

GBP/USD clings to gains just above 1.2500 on US PCE

GBP/USD keeps its uptrend unchanged and navigates the area beyond 1.2500 the figure amidst slight gains in the US Dollar following the release of US inflation tracked by the PCE.

GBP/USD News

Gold keeps its daily gains near $2,350 following US inflation

Gold keeps its daily gains near $2,350 following US inflation

Gold prices maintain their constructive bias around $2,350 after US inflation data gauged by the PCE surpassed consensus in March and US yields trade with slight losses following recent peaks.

Gold News

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC’s next breakout could propel it to $80,000 Premium

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC’s next breakout could propel it to $80,000

Bitcoin’s recent price consolidation could be nearing its end as technical indicators and on-chain metrics suggest a potential upward breakout. However, this move would not be straightforward and could punish impatient investors. 

Read more

Week ahead – Hawkish risk as Fed and NFP on tap, Eurozone data eyed too

Week ahead – Hawkish risk as Fed and NFP on tap, Eurozone data eyed too

Fed meets on Wednesday as US inflation stays elevated. Will Friday’s jobs report bring relief or more angst for the markets? Eurozone flash GDP and CPI numbers in focus for the Euro.

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures